October 10: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

Written by Kenn Bicknell

1923: Pacific Electric establishes its first route in the San Fernando Valley, operating an 18-mile bus line between Hollywood and Girard (now Woodland Hills). The route, served by two 29-passenger coaches, starts at Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue, traveling north on Highland through the Cahuenga Pass to Ventura Boulevard.

Named after developer Victor Girard, the town located at Ventura Boulevard at Topanga Canyon Boulevard was founded earlier in the year on February 4.

More information can be found in the November 10, 1923 issue of Pacific Electric Magazine.

Two years later, “owing to lack of necessary patronage, application to discontinue the operation of motor coach service west of Reseda Avenue on the Ventura Boulevard Motor Coach Line was filed…with the Board of Public Utilities of Los Angeles.”

2013: Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announces his first initiative as Mayor: The Great Streets Initiative. The goal is to activate public spaces, provide economic revitalization, increase public safety, enhance local culture, and support great neighborhoods.

Fifteen corridors across Los Angeles are identified as the first “Great Streets,” an acknowledgement that Los Angeles’ streets cover nearly 7,500 miles — over 15% of the city’s surface area and serving as centerpieces of their respective neighborhoods.

The initial Great Streets are:

Central Avenue
Cesar Chavez Avenue
Crenshaw Boulevard
Gaffey Street
Hollywood Boulevard
Lankershim Boulevard
North Figueroa Street
Pico Boulevard
Reseda Boulevard
Sherman Way
Van Nuys Boulevard (Van Nuys)
Van Nuys Boulevard (Pacoima)
Venice Boulevard
Western Avenue
Westwood Boulevard

The announcement is made at the Urban Land Institute’s Transit-Oriented Los Angeles Summit. Additional information can be found in the October 10, 2013 post on Metro’s The Source.

Last Updated June 3, 2024

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